Binding marriage equality vote supported in Tasmania, narrowly defeated in NSW.
Advocates have welcomed NSW Labor’s decision to join other Labor branches and the federal party in supporting marriage equality.
Australian Marriage Equality national director, Rodney Croome, said,
“Support for marriage equality from the Labor Party in Australia’s largest state will send a message that the reform is back on the agenda and momentum is unstoppable.”
“With support for marriage equality now at 72%, the next step is for the Coalition to allow a conscience vote so MPs across the political spectrum can represent their communities.”
A separate motion that sought to bind Labor politicians to vote for marriage equality was narrowly defeated. Yesterday, the Tasmanian state Labor conference passed a motion binding all Tasmanian delegates to Labor’s National Conference to vote in favour of a binding vote on marriage equalty. In 2012 the Tasmanian Labor confernece became the first to vote in favour of a binding vote.
Mr Croome welcomed moves toward a binding vote but said his group is currently working towards a cross-party conscience vote.
“It is consistent with Labor Party rules that all Labor members should vote for marriage equality because it is a human rights issue, not an issue of life or death like abortion or euthanasia.”
“But AME’s focus is on a cross-party conscience vote and our strategy remains one of working with individual MPs and grass roots supporters in their electorates.”
Currently, Labor MPs are allowed a conscience vote, while Coalition policy is wholly against marriage equality.
Recently, the Coalition’s own research company, Crosby/Textor, unveiled a national survey which found 72% of Australians support marriage equality, the highest figure ever.
For more on the Crosby/Textor research, click here.
For more information contact Rodney Croome on 0409 010 668.
Author: Rodney Croome
Publication: AME Media Release
Date: 27 July 2014